Air rifle



July 19, 1932.

Y E. s. ROE

AIR RIFLE Filed Nov. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS E. S. ROE

AIR RIFLE July 19, 1932.

Filed Nov. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 13724 42. (5. 306

ATTORNEWS Patented July 19, 1932 ERNEST S. ROE, OF PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN,

ASSIGNO'R To KING MANUFACTURING corrrumor PLYMOUTH, MroHIGAnA oonro m'rron or MIGHIGANV,

AIR RIFLE Application filed 'Noveniber This invention relates to air rifles, wherein V a power spring and compressed air are utilized for expelling the projectile. V a

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a simple, compact and efficient air rifle composed of comparatively few parts and that can be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

Another object of the present invention is the arrangement of a slotted plunger rod centrally of the rear portion of the barrel and guided for movement centrally of the barrel into and out of engagement with the trigger. A further object is the provision of simple and effective means for moving the plunger rod rearwardly, comprising a pivoted breakdown lever connected by intermediate links to a pin arranged to float in the slot of the plunger rod, the pin serving to move the plunger rod rearwardly when desired, and

then advancing within the slot after engagement of the plunger rod and trigger has been effected.

A further object of this invention is the 3 provision of a breech block member having out-turned lugs at its rear extremity to, centralize that portion of the breech block within the barrel and provided at its forward extremity with lugs fitting 'in recesses in a slotted washer secured within the barrel to centralize such portion of the breech block, whereby the trigger may be readily mounted on the breech block in a central position within the barrel, and the parts co-operating therewith readily maintained in correct positions for insuring engagement of the plunger rod and trigger whenever desired.

The above and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout, the several views. I

In the drawings: t

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved air rifler Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section throughthe metallic portions thereof show- 21, 1929. Serial No. 408,709.

ing the interior parts in, the positions as: sumed after. a projectile has been expelled. Figure 3 is a front elevationthereof. Figures i, 5, 6 and -7 are detail cross sections taken respectively on the lines ,4,4, 5-5, 66 and 77 of Figure 2. I I

Figure 8 is a view similar to liigureQ, but 1 v showing the positions assumed by the lunger rod and co-operating mechanisms-when moved rearwardly into engagement with the trigger. P

,Figure 9is a detailper'spective viewfof the interior portions of the air rifle and-plunger rod actuating mechanism removed from the barrel. 1 1 f 1 Figure '10 is a detailrhorizontal section taken substantially on the line 1010 of Figure 2, and a .Fi 11 is a detail perspective view showing the formation ofthe rear extremity of the plunger rod. I l

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 12 designates the stock of the gun, 13

the barrel, and 14 an interior projectile bare rel arranged substantially centrally" of the forward portion of the barrel v13. The barrel 13 carries the usual front sight,15 and rear sight 16, and, as best illustratedin Figures 2and= 3, the front sight is preferably formed integrally with acentrally 'apertured end closure member 17 filling the front end of the barrel 13 and being'held in position by meansof radial lugs 17 fitting into-notches in the barrel 13. Thefforwardrextr emity of the inner projectile barrel 14 passes through the central aperture of the closure'member '1'7 V and is then flaredoutw'ardly'to prevent separation ofthe projectile 'barrel from' the 010- Y sure member. The projectilebarrel 14 also preferably has a slight, taper from ltS'fOI'f ward towarditsrear extremity to facilitate the entranceand exit of projectiles, the rear extremity of the barrel 14: having aninner diameter slightly less than that of the pror j ectile designed to be used therein. The rear extremity of the projectile barrel l lis maintained substantiallycentrally of :the outer barrel 13 by means of a washer l8,preferably welded or otherwisesecured to the bar-refi l.

. (Note Figure 2.) Rearwardly of the washer 18 is arranged one or more centrally apertured packing members-19, of leather or the like,- the central apertures of the packing members preferably fitting snugly over the rear extremity of the projectile barrelle be-.

yond the washer 18. Theprojectile barrel 1.4

extends through a. sleeve member 20, reins forcing the outer barrel 13, the arrangement beingmsuch that "the outerportions of the washer 18 and packing'19 are also ba cked by the sleeve. 20 whereby air compressed'byt-he plunger 23 may not escape around the exterior of the packing members 19. The outer barrel 13 may be made from one sheet ofmetal, or,

plungerrod 21, herein shown as formed from sheet metalv reinforced at its rear,- extremity by bending a portion of the metal back upon the adjacent portion to give double thick ness where the contact of the plunger rod with the trigger is secured, as best shown in Figures 10 and 11. A notch 21 is formed in the lower" portion of the plunger rod adjacent the thickened rearoextremity thereof and the rear wall of'such notched portion is contacted by the trigger 22 when the air rifle is cocked.

The forward extremity of the plunger rod carries the usual. plunger 23, snugly fitting within h outer barrel 13, and intermediate its ends the plunger rod 21 is provided with an elongated slot 24 in which movesthecentral portion of the-floating pin 25, the ends of 'whi ch: pinf pass through openings in the forwardextremities of a pair of links 26 arranged on opposite sides of the plunger rod. The rear extremities of the links'26 are pivotallyqcon-nected to the forward extremity of the lever 27, which is pivoted intermediate its ends, as by the bolt 28, upon a lower extension29 of the :barrel 13. (Note Figures '1 and '2.) By virtue of this arrangement swinging of thelever 27 from its normal po si-tion' as shown in Figure 2 tothe :full line 7 position shown in"Figure8will bring the floating pin into engagement withthe rear walil of the slot .24 and then slidethe plunger rodrearwardly'until itsnotched portion 21 rcontacts thesear 22 of the trigger22. Re.-

movement of the lever 27 will then ad cvanee the floating pin and links 26 relatively to the plunger rod the 7 pin 25 merely sliding within the elongatedsl'ot24. Such rearward movement'of the plunger rod 21 is utilized to 7 compress a comparatively heavy power spring 30 surrounding the forward portion I of the plunger rod'betwe'en the plungern23 and a slotted washer: 31 arranged at the-"forward extremity ofthebreech block Alight spr1ng'33 arranged'between the stock 12and 21 of the plunger rod.

the trigger 22 maintains the trigger in substantially the position shown in Figure 2 so that the sear 22" thereofis always in position to be contacted by the notched portion When the trigger is pulled, the sear 22 thereof is swung downwardlyout of'engagement-with the notched portion of the plungerrod, whereupon the compressed power spring30 will throw the plungenrocl forward with. great force and a projectile lodged Within the inner barrel 1 11 -W1ll. l)8 forc bly expelled in the usualmanner of an miles.

,Within the rear portion of the barrel 13 is arranged my improved breech block32, and the arrangement is such that economy of manufacture and assembling. is combined with means for insuring the malntenanc'erof the plunger rod and co-operating parts in the desired positions substantially centrally of the barrel"1'3.. As best shown in Figures 7 and 9' the-body of the breech block '32 is formed of sheet metal in a substantially inverted. U-shape and provided withlaterally extending flanges 32 of requisite size and 3 shape to snugly fit within the rear portion of the barrel 13 and thereby hold the main portion of the breech block 32 centrally of the-barrel; The forward extremity of the breech blocks32 is formed Witha pair'of forwardly extending lugs 32 (note Figures 1 and. 10 fitting within notches in the washor 31, which notches are arranged at Opposite sides of the central polygonal aperture ofsuch washerandfwell inwardly of the periphery to thereby centralize the forward extremity of the breech block within the barrel 13. The forwardly extending lugs 32 extending within the notches in the washer 31 also permit the Washer 31 to be solidly secured to the breech block and backed by the body portion of the breech block to resist any tendency toward displacement during the movements of the powerspring 30. The

trigger22 is pivotally mounted upon a bolt 22" passing through both sides of the barrel 13 and the spaced sides of the body portion of thebreech block 32, the trigger being arranged between the side portions of the breech block and thereby maintained in substantially central position for engagement by V the plunger rod 21 Whenever desired. The stock 12 'is'secured to the metallic portions of the gunby means of the cross bolt 33 and the top screw 34.

The body portion of the; breech block 32 is prov ded with a pair of elongated slots 32 arrangedone 111 each side and at the proper height to align with the elongated slot 24 inthe plunger rod. 'The'slots 32 provide guides for the pin 25 during the.

movements ithereof Whenever the lever 27 is rocked to bring the plunger rod into engagement. Withfithe trigger. and during the return of the leverto its normal'position. The

pin 25 extends through the aligned slots 24: and 32 and into apertures in the links 26 and such arrangement aids in maintaining the links in raised position out of contact with the lower portion of the barrel 13.. It is to be noted that the links 26 are positioned between the sides of the barrel 13 and the sides of the body portion of the breech block 32, whereby the moving plunger rod and links are maintained out of contact with each other by the intervening guide walls and possible friction is prevented; The polygonal slot in the washer 31 also serves to aid in maintaining the plunger rod centrally within the barrel and out of contact with the body portion of the breech block.

The lever 27 is preferably formed from sheet metal into substantially the shape shown, the spaced side walls thereof serving to strengthen the piece while providing a wide bearing on the fulcrum bolt 28 and completely filling the gap between the spaced sides of the barrel extension 29. The lever is further shaped to form the usual trigger guard, and in addition furnishes a simple and highly effective means for latching the lever upon the barrel 13 whenever the lever is in its normal position. This latching arrangement is best shown in Figures 1 and 7, the elongatedside portions 27 of the lever being bowed outwardly at their free extremities and co-operating with the flared and bowed lower extremities of the extension 35 on the barrel 13. The flare of such extensions 35 guides the side portions 27 of the lever into the space between the sides of. the bar-. rel, and since the thickness of the material of which the barrel is formed is much greater than that of the lever, the extensions 35 form stiff posts which serve to flex the bowed side port-ions 27 of the lever inwardly until they ride over the correspondingly bowed portions of the extensions, after which the resiliency of the side portions 27 returns the bowed extremities thereof outwardly into latching engagement with the bowed portions of the extensions 35. The comparatively long side portions 27 permit ready flexing well within the elastic limitof the material with consequent longevity and ease of operation.

From the above it will be apparent that my improved air rifle is constructed of comparatively few parts, which may be readily manufactured and quickly assembled or disassembled. To remove the motivating parts of the riflefrom the fixed portions thereof it is only necessary to remove the three cross bolts 22, 28 and 33, and the top screw 34. The stock 12 may then be pulled rearwardly from the metallic portions of the rifle, the trigger-'22 permitted to fall from the breech block, and the entire assembly of breech block, power spring, plunger rod, and plunger rod actuating mechanism removed as a unit from the barrel portions, by grasping the exposed portions of eachunit and pulling them rearwardly from the barrel portions of the rifle. Such interior unit is shown in ure 9. This unit may be readily assembled preliminarily tothe assembling of the complete rifie, as may be the barrel ortion of the Thetop screw 34 isthen secured to prevent any movement of the stock 12. relatively to the remainder of the gun. I The strengthening of the rearextremity of the plunger rod by doubling the thickness thereof aids materially in lengthening the life of the air rifle, and also insures firm contact of the plunger rod with the trigger, even though the trigger may move laterally upon its bolt 22*. uch lateral movement of the trigger, however, is effectively prevented in my improved rifle by the centralized arrangement of the body portion of the breech block within the barrel. I

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated,it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims; 7

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a gun,'a barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring surrounding the plunger rod, a trigger, and means forsliding the plunger rod readwardly against the tension of said spring :into engagement with the trigger, the portion of the plunger-rod contacting the trigger being bent back upon itself to form a portion of greater thickness than the remainder thereof. r i 2. In a gun, a barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power springsurrounding the plunger. rod, a trigger, and means for sliding. the plunger rod rearwardly against the tension of said spring into engagement with the trigger, the plunger rod being formed of sheet metal with the rear portion thereof folded back on the adja cent portion to thicken and reinforce the rod where it contactsthe trigger.

3. In a gun, a barrel,-aplunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring surrounding the plunger rod, atri-gger, means for sliding the plunger rod rearwardly against the tension of said spring into engagement with the trigger, and means for centralizing the trigger and plunger rod including a removable breech block member arranged wit in the rear portion of the barrel and having guide walls and projecting portions to space the same from the sides of the barrel. 7

,4. In a gun, a barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring surrounding the .plunger rod, a trigger, means for sliding the plunger rod rear- 'Wardly against the tension of said spring plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring surrounding the plunger rod, a breech block member secured within the rear portion of the barrel having guide walls and integral projecting portions to maintain the same centrally within the barrel, the rear portion of the plunger rod extending between said guide walls, a trigger pivotallymounted between the guide walls of the breech block member, and means for sliding the plunger rod rearwardly against the tension of said spring into engagement wit l the trigger. 6. In a gun, a barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a powerspring surrounding the plunger rod, a breech block member secured within the rear portion of the barrel and having guide walls centrally arranged within the barrel, the rear'portion of: the plungerrod extending between said guide walls, a trigger pivotally mounted between the guide walls of the breech block member, means for sliding the plunger rod rearwardlyagainst the tension of said spring into engagement with the trigger, said means including a pin floating'in the slot of the plunger rod, a pair of links'arranged exteriorly of the guide walls of the breech block member and pivoted on said pin, and a lever fulcrumed upon the barrel and pivotally connected to said links.

7. In a gun, a barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring surrounding the plunger rod, a'breech block member secured within the rearportion of the barrel and having guide walls centrally arrangedwithin the barrel, the rear portion of the plunger rod extending between said guide walls, a trigger pivotally mounted between the guide walls of the breech block member, means for sliding the plunger rod rearwardly against the tension of said spring into engagement with the trigger, said means including apin floating in theslot of the plunger rod, 5 pair of links arranged exteriorly of the guide walls of the breech block member and pivoted on said pin, and a lever] fulcrumed upon the barrel having spaced side members respectively pivotally connected 7 with said links exteriorly of said guide walls.

8. In an air rifle, a barrel channel-shaped at its rear extremity, and a removable unit for insertion into said barrel from the rear thereof, said unit comprising a plunger hav mg a slotted plunger rod, a breech block member having spaced guide walls provided with integral means for locating the breech block member substantially centrally in and spaced from the side walls of the barrel, a trigger V 7 arranged between said guide walls, a power spring surrounding the plunger rod between the plunger and the breech bloclrmember, a lever, and links connectingthe lever with the slotted portion of'the plunger rod.

9. In an air rifle, a barrel channel-shaped at its rear extremity, and a removable unit for insertion into said barrel from the-rear thereof, said unit comprising a breech block with forwardly extending lugs, means for centrally locating the rear portion of the breech block member within the barrel, a slotted washer having recesses for receiving said lugs of the breech block member, a trigger adapted to be pivoted between said guide walls, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod extending through said slotted washer into the space between said guide walls, a power spring surrounding the plunger rodbetween the plunger and said washer, and means for sliding theplunger rod rearwardly against the tension of said spring into engagement.

with said trigger.

10. In a gun, a. barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power I spring surrounding the plunger rod, a breech block member secured within the rear portion of the barrel and having slotted guide walls arranged within'thebarrel, the rear portion ofthe plunger rod extending between said guide walls, atrigger .pivotally mounted between the guide walls of the breech block member, means for sliding-the plunger rod rearwardly against the tension of Said spring .member having spaced guide walls provided 190 into engagement with the trigger, said means including a pin floating in the slot of the plunger rod and the slots in the guide walls of the breech block member, a pair of links arranged exteriorly of said guide walls and pivotally connected to said pin, and a lever fulcrumed upon the barrel and pivotally connected to said links. V v

11. In a gun, a barrel, aplunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring Surrounding the plunger rod, a trig- Y ger, means for sliding the plunger rod rearwardly aga nst the tension of said spring into engagement with the trigger, said means including a pin floating in the slot of the plunger rod, a pair of links pivoted on said pm on each side of the plunger rod, a lever also pivotally connected with the links, said lever including a pair of spaced resilient latching elements, and co-operating latch elements carried by the barrel for normally engaging the latching elements of the lever to maintain the lever in juxtaposition to the barrel.

12. In a gun, a barrel, a plunger having a slotted plunger rod slidable therein, a power spring surrounding the plunger rod, a trigger, means for sliding the plunger rod rear- Wardly against the tension of said spring into engagement with the trigger, said means including a pin floating in the slot of the plunger rod, a pair of links pivoted on said pin on each side ofthe plunger rod, a lever also pivotally connected with the links, said lever being fulcrumed adjacent its forward extremity on the barrel and being formed rearwardly of its fulcrum with a resilient latching element having its free extremity bowed and a flared and bowed latching portion carried by the barrel for co-operation with the latching element of the lever to normally maintain the lever in juxtaposition to the barrel.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification.

ERNEST S. ROE. 

